Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has invited Donald Trump to “come see” the damage being inflicted on Ukraine as Russia continues to strike Ukrainian civilians. DW has the latest.
Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
Russia’s Palm Sunday missile attack in Ukraine was widely condemned as “cowardly” and “criminal” by global leaders on Monday.
US President Donald Trump called the attack, which killed 34, “a horrible thing.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited Trump to come see the destruction being thrust upon his country for himself.
Meanwhile, Russia’s attacks continued on Monday with four killed in eastern Ukraine and a blaze injuring several when a missile struck a gas depot.
Skip next section Top Ukrainian presidential aide: ‘High time for US to react’ to Russian attacks
Top Ukrainian presidential aide: ‘High time for US to react’ to Russian attacks
Igor Zhovkva, deputy head of the office of the president of Ukraine, told DW that Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy — which killed over 30, including children — was “the second horrible attack within the last 10 days”; referring to an April 4, 2025, ballistic missile attack on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, including nine children.
Zhovkva said such attacks are proving deadly “because Ukraine lacks sufficient air defenses.”
Ballistic missiles can be only intercepted by air-defense systems like the US-Patriot missile, which Ukraine desperately needs.
Kyiv has tirelessly lobbied the international community to provide this key defensive weapon.
Ukraine, said Zhovkva, “cannot defend these civilian cities when the ballistic missiles are attacking” because “they don’t have any air defense” capable of intercepting Russian rockets.
Zhovkva suggested Russia used a cluster bomb in its Sunday attack, saying the missile used in Sumy exploded high over the heads of people, which is what caused so many casualties.
Ukraine has accepted US-brokered proposals for a full ceasefire and Zhovkva said Russia’s rejection of the plan and Moscow’s continued deadly strikes are proof that “Russia wants to prolong the war.”
Zhovkva called for the US to take stronger action. “It’s high time for the US side to react, to react more strongly, to react maybe with more severe sanctions. I think the US side has enough leverage of pressure in different domains,” he added.
“We’ve heard several times from President Trump that he is irritated, he’s dissatisfied, and he understands that sooner or later the reaction should be tougher.”
DW News
